Manchester City and Arsenal make approach for Premier League defender

Manchester City and Arsenal have both stepped up their interest in West Brom defender Jonny Evans, reports The Daily Telegraph.

West Brom fended off interest from City in the summer but may struggle to convince the former Manchester United defender to stay put this month.

Both City and Arsenal are keen to bolster their defensive options in the January transfer market and have approached West Brom about Evans’ services.

The Baggies will hope to hold out for at least £25m for the Northern Ireland international, while Arsenal are willing to include Mathieu Debuchy in the deal.

Evans is thought to favour a move to City as that would enable him to remain in the North West, but the 30-year-old would not turn down the chance to join a club of Arsenal’s status.

West Brom are currently second from bottom in the Premier League and losing a player of Evans’ importance would be a real hammer blow to their chances of beating the drop.

In the last three Premier League campaigns, only Simon Francis (371) and Laurent Koscielny (352) have won possession in the defensive third more times than Evans (337).